for more comprehensive
ongoing reports by Retired Pastor/Teacher James McCutchan - Jmccutchan@aol.com

HOW PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU (3RD TERM) LOST THE ISRAELI
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
[Ednote: Israel has a President (Peres) and a Prime Minister
(Netanyahu) while the U.S. only has a President (Obama)]

June 11, 2014 Kevin Lees - Benjamin Netanyahu wasnt
running for Israels largely ceremonial presidency on Tuesday,
but hes emerged as the clearest loser after waging an unsuccessful
campaign against the man who ultimately won, Reuven Rivlin, and
he may have hastened his own political demise in the process.

In some ways, Rivlin has been the frontrunner for the presidency
for the past seven years, in light of his finish as runner-up
to Shimon Peres in the 2007 election. Israeli presidents are
elected by the Knesset, Israels 120-member unicameral parliament.

Rivlin defeated Meir Sheetrit, a former Likud MK who now
belongs to Hatnuah (The Movement Party), the party founded in
November 2012 by the centrist former foreign minister Tzipi Livni.
On the final ballot, Rivlin won 63 votes against 53 for Sheetrit,
who emerged from among four challengers as the chief anti-Rivlin
vote, attracting support from centrist and left-leaning MKs.

Attempts over the last month to find a method of madness
and understand why prime minister ran amuck to prevent Rivlin
from being chosen as president bring to mind a series of past
incidents in which the Netanyahus thought he was personally hurting
and humiliating him instead of supporting him.

Tzipi Livni made an aggressive speech against Netanyahu.
Mrs. Netanyahu said that Tzipi Livni should not have been allowed
to speak. Rivlin ended up without his job as speaker due to Netanyahu's
humiliating comments.

Since returning from Japan, Netanyahu was fully committed
to undo the 'right wing' Rivlin election but failed to delay
the election. Whole article at:

WHO IS REUVEN RIVLIN: ISRAEL'S NEW 'RIGHTEOUS ZIONIST' PRESIDENT
Posted on June 16, 2014 | Israeli Knesset has elected its Speaker
Reuven Rivlin as the new President to replace the [...] Shimon
Peres who is due to retire in July 2014. It was another blow
to Netanyahus political clout at the home front. Netanyahu
campaigned against Rivlins candidacy as he did in 2007
in support of Peres.

In a desperate move to stop Rivlin wining the presidency,
Netanyahu tried to persuade Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid to
support the Holocaust fabricator Elie Wiesel, neither a citizen
nor a resident of the Zionist entity to become its new president.

Rivlin who was born into an Austrian Jewish family in occupied
Palestine is considered a Dove by his war-mongering
Likud mafia. Rivlin is one of those few Zionist leaders who believe
that treating the Arabs more humanely while living
on lands stolen from them, would be good for the long interests
of the illegal Jewish settlers. Thats why I call him the
Righteous Zionist. I can list his following actions
in support of my claim.

2. His father professor Yosef Yoel Rivlin was the first Jew
who translated Holy Quran in Hebrew. He also translated
One Thousand and one Nights.

3. His cousin Lilly Rivlin, who lived in United States for
a while, is a writer and producer of film, Can You Hear
Me?: Israeli and Palestinian Women Fight for Peace.

4. He is dead against the American two-state solution.
He supports one democratic Jewish state of Israel with equal
rights and freedom of speech to all its Jewish, Muslim and Christian
citizens.

5. He has criticized politicians, rabbis, sport fans, etc.
for racism based on religion and ethnicity.

6. He has disapproved Netanyahus anti-Iran rants and
criticism of the so-called P5+1? negotiations with Iran.
Rivlin believes that no American administration would dare to
throw Israel under the bus.

7. He protected Native Palestinian Knesset member Hanin Zoabi
when the Jewish-controlled Knesset tried to sanction her for
taking part in the Gaza flotilla and even elevated MK Ahmed Tibi,
the Palestinian Israelis most love to hate, to deputy-Speaker.

8. In March 2009, Rivlin acknowledged the great suffering
and real trauma endured by Palestinians in 1948 and called
for compensations for the Nakba.

Rivlin will be Israels first president who is not linked
with Israel Occupation Force (IOF). Shimon Peres is known as
the Father of Jewish Nuclear Bomb.

Israels presidency is a symbolic with no executive
powers like Indias president Shri Paranab Mukherjee. It
wields no power, but huge prestige. And Rivlin will know what
to do with it.

WHY ISRAELI LEFT SHOULD CHEER REUVEN RIVLIN
By Anna Momigliano - June 10, 2014, 1:55pm [...] Rivlin is definitely
a vocal opponent of the Oslo accords. He rejects the very idea
of giving the occupied territories away. But, on the other hand,
he also proposed giving Palestinians Israeli citizenship, full
civil rights and the right to vote in a much-discussed Haaretz
interview back in 2010.

Just like Netanyahu, Rivlin would like Israel to keep the
West Bank. But unlike Netanyahu  whose agenda works to
maintain the status quo, making the occupation permanent 
Rivlin suggests making the West Bank into part of Israel and
its inhabitants into full Israeli citizens. Thats not a
minor deviation. [...] As an Israeli columnist once explained
to me, Israels largest conservative party is essentially
divided between those who see Israeli democracy as something
expendable and those who do not. Netanyahu clearly
belongs to the first faction. Hes convinced that the birth
of a Palestinian state would endanger Israels own survival;
on the other hand, hes not willing to give Palestinians
voting rights, because he fears that will also endanger Israels
existence. The result is that he sees permanent occupation as
the only viable solution. This, incidentally, also means keeping
more than two million Palestinians under the control of a government
over which they have no voting power. And it means endangering
Israels own democratic nature. Its not that Bibi
doesnt value Israeli democracy  its just that
he considers it an expendable asset.

But others inside the Likud do not share Netanyahus
value system. Some Likudniks, like Rivlin, see democracy as a
non-negotiable issue. They may share Bibis view that the
birth of a Palestinian state is a danger to Israel, but theyre
willing to pay the price of keeping the territories while protecting
Israels democratic nature. This, as Rivlin candidly admitted
in his Haaretz interview, means giving full rights to Palestinians
under Israeli control. Whole story:

(Our Russian and Ukrainian correspondents Hirsh Ostropoler
and I. Z. Grosser-Spass also contributed to this story, delayed
due to the crisis over the Crimean referendum.) Fast-breaking
Developments

Followers of Middle Eastern affairs know two things: always
expect the unexpected, and never write off Prime Minister Binyamin
Netanyahu, who has more political lives than the proverbial cat.

Only yesterday came news that Syrian rebels plan to give
Israel the Golan Heights in exchange for creation of a no-fly
zone against the Assad regime. In an even bolder move, it is
now revealed, Israel will withdraw its settlers from communities
beyond the settlement blocsand relocate them at least temporarily
to Ukraine. Ukraine made this arrangement on the basis of historic
ties and in exchange for desperately needed military assistance
against Russia. This surprising turn of events had an even more
surprising origin: genetics, a field in which Israeli scholars
have long excelled.

A Warlike Turkic Peopleand a Mystery

It is well known that, sometime in the eighth to ninth centuries,
the Khazars, a warlike Turkic people, converted to Judaism and
ruled over a vast domain in what became southern Russia and Ukraine.
What happened to them after the Russians destroyed that empire
around the eleventh century has been a mystery. Many have speculated
that the Khazars became the ancestors of Ashkenazi Jews.

The Khazar Empire, from M. J-H. Schnitzlers map of
The Empire of Charlemagne and that of the Arabs, (Strasbourg,
1857) Continued: http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/leaked-report-israel-acknowledges-jews-in-fact-

khazars-secret-plan-for-reverse-migration-to-ukraine/

-----

2 SENTENCES FROM NETANYAHU INTERVIEW THAT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR
ON UNACCEPTABLE UNILATERAL MOVES
Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA 25 May 2014 - Here is the opportunity
to apparently know more about this interview than MK Shaul Mofaz
and many other Israelis did when they claimed that Netanyahu
might have meant that he was considering unilateral withdrawals:
OK. take a deep breath and have the attention span to read the
following words that apparently many Israelis don't have the
patience to read in their entirety:
"NETANYAHU: .... Many Israelis are asking themselves if
there are certain unilateral steps that could theoretically make
sense. But people also recognize that the unilateral withdrawal
from Gaza didn't improve the situation or advance peace -- it
created Hamastan, from which thousands of rockets have been fired
at our cities."
Netanyahu Says Obama Got Syria Right
By Jeffrey Goldberg - Bloomberg May 22, 2014 10:36 PM EDThttp://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-05-22/netanyahu-says-obama-got-syria-right
OK dear reader.
After reading this would you rush to join those who claim Netanyahu
is considering the option of unilateral withdrawal? http://www.imra.org.il

-----

THE MATRIX OF GOG: FROM THE LAND OF MAGOG CAME THE KHAZARS
TO DESTROY AND PLUNDER
Ezekiel 38-39 prophesies that in the last days, Gog, demonic
ruler of the land of Magog, shall come against Israel, which
is brought forth out of the nations. He shall come like a storm
and shall conquer this land of unwalled villages, and take them
hostage.

Who is Gog? Where is the land of Magog? Now, with new and
astonishing archaeological and genetic discoveries, we have amazing
evidence that, in fact, Magog is situated in Southern Russia,
in the Caucusus, and Gog is the name of the great ruler of the
Kingdom of Khazaria. Khazaria is the land of the non-Semitic,
Turkic peoples who falsely claim to be Jews. From Khazaria, in
the eight century, these pagan peoples, having converted to Judaism,
fled to Europe to escape invading Russian warriors.

In 1948, the Khazarians went on to Palestine, where they
conquered the peaceful Palestinians and set up a pretentious,
new Kingdom of Israel. The Khazarians, claiming to
be Jews, are from Magog. Led by Satans Gog,
in the last days they are destined to plunge the entire world
into bloodshed, chaos, and war. Ezekiel 38-39 is fulfilled in
front of our eyes! http://www.texemarrs.com/

-----

600,000

"Malignant psoriasis" was the funniest thing said
yesterday by Ultra-Orthodox Jews protesting Israel's new Conscription
law.* They aimed the colorful expression at Religious Zionists
$ ahead of the largest protest in Israel's history. I had no
doubt that the Zionists would hit back while devoutly scratching
their boils.
"The Sixty Ribo Gathering," Jerusalem, March 2, 2014
[...] Today,
March 3, 2014, I opened Hebrew media looking for reports from
the event. The two most important Zionist newspapers completely
ignored it. Considering the size of the protest, this was an
odd attitude for newspapers. What Angela Merkel said about Vladimir
Putin was more important. Jewish actors having been ignored at
the Oscars were more important. The largest Zionist newspaper
reported the event while openly insulting the Ultra-Orthodox.
"Interesting," I thought and rushed towards the main
Ultra-Orthodox website, Kikar HaShabat. [...]
Hungary 1930 & the Forgotten History of a Mass Protest
Seldom do they disappoint. Today they provided all the information
and plenty of images from the event. While touring the site I
even noticed that a poll had been placed in its main articles.
"Guilt on the persecution of the Holy Torah is on-"
was the provocative title.

The options were PM Benjamin Netanyahu, his main partner
and fanatic humanist Yair Lapid, his second most important partner
and leader of Religious Zionism Naftali Bennett, and the IDF.http://www.roitov.com/articles/600000.htm

-----

ZION SPLITS UKRAINE

It was an attempt to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
What is happening to Israeli and Jewish organizations in Ukraine?
Are they pro-Russia or pro-Europe? "Have you read the latest
on Iran? Don't ask about Ukraine! The BBC had said everything
that was needed to be said" was the attitude. In other words,
"We are involved, do not spoil the party."

In the shifting geopolitics of this decade, Israel found
itself struggling against sanctions imposed by the European Union
on products from the West Bank.* Europe is the main market of
Israeli exports. The annexation of Ukraine by the EU would mean
a further weakening of the Israeli position.

Not for the first time, Israel and Russia found themselves
on the same side of a conflict. One of the oddest signs was the
emphasis that was given to the claim that the forces in the Crimea
did not belong to the Russian Army but were mercenaries of unclear
allegiances.

Did they mean that they were like the Syrian Free Army composed
by Western et al. paid mercenaries? This was not explained, but
it looks like a clear attempt to buy time for Russian authorities.
"I can't comment now, I must check whom these mercenaries
are being paid by."

Israel had collaborated with Russia in the Sochi Winter Games
by providing the War Room controlling the theater. Were the
technologies passed by Israel used in the Crimea? Incredibly,
Hebrew media were silent on these issues.
Continued: http://www.roitov.com/articles/ukraine.htm

-----
EICHLER VS. FLUG

Yisrael Eichler at the Knesset, Feb. 17, 2014 - The Films
of Leni Riefenstahl
Yisrael Eichler is a Member of the Knesset for the Ultra-Orthodox
United Torah Judaism party. On February 17, he spoke at the Parliament
against Karnit Flug, the first female Governor of the Bank of
Israel.

The gender is relevant here. She is Zionist, secular, humanist,
and feminist. She rejects all who doesn't agree completely with
her. She is so unresponsive to society, that she keeps a surname
that cannot be written in Hebrew, a language where words cannot
start with "f." If unaware that it is a name, Hebrew
speakers will pronounce "pilug," which in a fashion
appropriate to today's topic means "to make factions."
She could have adopted her husband's surname as it usually happens,
but she is a feminist.

She hates religion and would make everything to destroy it.
Every manipulation is kosher; every aggression is permitted.
Principles of law can be trampled in her holy Western war to
destruct religion. She represents the secular state and believes
that she can violate everybody. After Ultra-Orthodox parties
were left outside Netanyahu's coalition, she attacked them wildly.
Eichler answered clearly.

Eichler Speaks: "Today, here, we are confronting an
existential threat. More and more people are delegitimizing over
one million Ultra-Orthodox Jews and one million Arabs [referring
to Palestinians with Israeli citizenship]. This happens by people
holding positions in the government; we cannot keep silent. If
they don't know history [Zionists are infamous for their partial
education], I will tell them that in Europe Jews were blamed
for stopping growth and stopping the economy due to their being
unfit human capital." http://www.roitov.com/articles/meriezrahi.htm

-----

ISRAELI NEWS LIVE - POPE FRANCIS PALESTINIAN INTERCESSOR

[Ednote: Pope Francis likens himself to be representing CHE
GUEVERA OF PALESTINIANS]
Published on May 25, 2014 - Pope Francis, mediator, intercessor,
spiritual advisor, financier, and I am sure the list goes on,
all for the Palestinian People. For Israel he is the antigonizor,
thorn in the flesh, re-buffer, loan shark, False prophet. Need
we say more? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD5KiDtESuU

As this report was going to press, King Juan Carlos of
Spain announced he was abdicating his throne, thus
joining the King of Belgium, the Queen of the Netherlands, and
pope maledict in quitting recently.

-----

PALESTINIAN UNITY GOVERNMENT SWORN IN BY MAHMOUD ABBAS
BBC- 2 June 2014 - Last updated at 17:06 ET A new Palestinian
unity government has been sworn in, marking a key step towards
ending a major rift between factions in the West Bank and Gaza.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas hailed the event, saying
"a black page in history has been turned forever".
The two sides had governed separately since Hamas, which won
elections in 2006, ousted Fatah from Gaza in 2007.
The US has said it will work with the new government, a move
that Israel described as "disappointing".
Israel insist it will not deal with a Palestinian government
backed by Hamas - which is sworn to Israel's destruction.
Following the Palestinian announcement, Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet said it would hold Mr Abbas
and the new Palestinian government accountable for any rocket
fire from the Gaza Strip.
In a statement, Mr Netanyahu urged world leaders not to "rush
to recognise" the new government. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27660218

-----
SPANISH CABINET TO DISCUSS KING JUAN CARLOS'S ABDICATION

Spanish newspapers published special editions on Monday evening
to react to the abdication
2 June 2014 Last updated at 22:26 ET The Spanish cabinet is to
discuss the next steps in the process of King Juan Carlos's abdication
and the accession of his son, Crown Prince Felipe. The king announced
on Monday his intention to abdicate after nearly 40 years on
the throne. Ministers will discuss the steps needed to approve
Crown Prince Felipe's accession to the throne.
Juan Carlos was seen as popular for much of his reign, but recently
many Spaniards have lost confidence in him.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said the cabinet meeting would aim
at carrying out the "constitutional measures" needed
to clear the way for the succession. The Spanish constitution
does not have a precise law regulating abdication and royal succession,
and ministers will discuss the special legislation that will
be necessary for the process.
The two main parties in parliament remain loyal to the monarchy.
Prince Felipe will become King Felipe VI and will inherit an
institution whose reputation has been tarnished by scandals in
recent years. King Juan Carlos said his son Prince Felipe would
"open a new era of hope" Continued: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27672997

-----

TURKEY CUTS OFF THE EUPHRATES RIVER
[Ednote: Suddenly John | May 31, 2014 | The Euphrates originates
in eastern Turkey before flowing into Syria and Iraq. Its
the longest river in Western Asia and has been critical to the
region for thousands of years, even being mentioned in the Book
of Genesis and helping form the Fertile Crescent of Mesopotamia.
With most of the water forming the river coming from Turkey,
the Islamist (member of NATO) is in quite the position of power
over its neighbors. In 1987, a bilateral treaty was signed between
Turkey and Syria ensuring a flow of at least 500 cubic metres
per second from Turkey into Syria. In 1989, a similar treaty
between Syria and Iraq guaranteed 60 percent of the amount Syria
receives from Turkey. Two weeks ago, the Turkish government has
cut off the flow of the Euphrates to Syria and Iraq after reducing
its flow over the past month and a half. The move is already
having affects on Syria, where a manmade reservoir named Lake
Assad has lost millions of cubic meters of water. As the water
levels drop, locals are considering shutting down the dam to
preserve the water that is left. If they do this, there will
be no flow from the Euphrates through the rest of Syria and Iraq.
One way or the other, unless the full flow is returned, there
will be severe humanitarian consequences for already fragile
areas of Iraq and Syria.
I find it amazing that this is getting almost zero press. It
seems likely that Turkey is trying to provoke a response from
Syria so that it can in turn invade. Its also sure to cause a
lot of instability in Iraq, a nation already on the edge from
attacks by the ISIS. It makes me wonder if Turkey, with the backing
of the Obama administration, has plans to take over parts if
not all of Turkey and Iraq. It could be spun as a way to end
the crisis in those nations and put them under the control of
a NATO ally. The really scary thing is that it would feed right
into end time prophecy if one believes the empire of the Antichrist
is an Islamic caliphate and the recreation of the Ottoman Empire.
In fact, Revelations 16:12 states: http://tavernkeepers.com/turkey-cuts-off-the-euphrates-river/

-----

POPE FRANCIS CALLS PALESTINIAN LEADERSHIP "BROTHERS"
Suddenly John | May 28, 2014 | Pope Francis recently spent some
time in the Holy Land. I reported on it in a previous article
before he left, along with my fears of what the trip might entail.
Now that things are wrapping up, it seems like he hit most of
the points that will damage Israel and advance a Palestinian
state with the International community. He visited the West Bank,
he referred to Mahmoud Abbas as the president of the State of
Palestine, and he did everything on a political level to advance
a Palestinian State. Its puzzling and disappointing, especially
after he stated that his trip was a religious one and not political
in nature. This pope was billed as one who had worked against
communism, yet he talks about redistributing wealth through the
United Nations. Now, he strives to give legitimacy to a Palestinian
State in the area that God gave to Israel. To show how politically
correct the Pope was during his visit, he referred to the Palestinian
leadership as brothers. While this sounds nice in
a lets all get along way, lets remember who these
brothers are. For instance, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem
was one of the leaders in attendance. Here he is two years ago
discussing what his people would do to the Jews. http://tavernkeepers.com/pope-francis-calls-palestinian-leadership-brothers/

With respect.- Steven Shamrak: Congratulation Rivlin - Shame
to Netanyahu - Reuven Rivlin has been selected as the 10th president
of Israel, ending an ugly and hard-fought campaign to replace
the outgoing head of state, Shimon Peres. Rivlin is a former
Knesset speaker and a member of Likud, the party headed by Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu reportedly opposed Rivlin aggressively. He spent
weeks trying to delay the election and recruit candidates to
run against Rivlin. At one point he tried to recruit Nobel laureate
Elie Wiesel, who is not even an Israeli citizen. (One traitor,
Peres, is out! Next step is to get remove the wimp, Netanyahu,
from Likud leadership. Why is it that leader of Likud, Benjamin
Netanyahu, is more comfortable with political enemies, Shimon
Peres, than the members of his own party?)

Greetings from the PA Unity Government! 'Very Concerned'
is not Condemnation!

Three yeshiva students were kidnaped in Judea and Samaria
on Thursday. One of them is an Israeli-American. A covert Hamas
cell in Hebron is believed to have perpetrated the abduction.
The White House concerned' - not outrage! Imagine the reaction
if US citizen was kidnaped by Jews!

Three Rockets Fired at Israel from Gaza! Four rockets fired
towards the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon on Sunday night.
An Iron Dome missile defense battery deployed in the area intercepted
two of the rockets.

Don't Blame Abbas - Blame Fake Palestinians

Economy Minister and Jewish Home chairman Naftali Bennett
said that the blame on the Hamas-Fatah unity government should
not be placed on Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud
Abbas, but rather on the Palestinian Arab people.

The anger against Abbas over the Fatah-Hamas unity
government is misplaced The problem is not Abbas. Rather, it
is the Palestinian public that does not accept the State of Israel,
wrote Bennett on his Facebook page.

How do I know this? In the only free elections that
have ever been held, Hamas won 76 seats out of 132. Clear majority!
Fatah (another terrorist organization) won 48 seats, he
pointed out.

This means the majority of the Palestinian public voted
for an anti-Jewish terrorist movement that aims to destroy Israel
through Jihad.

So what do we do about it? We get stronger, and we
raise our heads up high. We apply Israeli sovereignty over the
territory of our country. We will continue to build our magnificent
country, wrote Bennett. (But Bennett, as many half-way
Zionists, is delusional thinking that there will be new
generations on the other side who hopefully will choose a path
other than terror.)

Right Direction, Bad Plan - Economy Minister and Jewish Home
chairman Naftali Bennett officially presented his annexation
plan. Under the plan, Israel will gradually annex Area C of Judea
and Samaria, where 400,000 Israelis reside alongside some 70,000
Arabs, while creating an enhanced autonomy in the remaining areas
with full freedom of movement. The first area to be annexed would
be Gush Etzion. The second part of the plan includes offering
Israeli citizenship to 70,000 Arab residents living in the areas
to be annexed. (Why would any country grant citizenship to people
who despise its existence?) [...]

Egypt Shuts Rafah Crossing

Egyptian President Abdul-Fattah El-Sisi has strengthened
the siege on its Gaza partner, Hamas. Cairo insists that the
Rafah crossing stays shut unless Hamas hands control over to
the PA, which will never happen. (No international outrage,
as it is done not by Israel!)

UNESCO Removes Israel, Promotes Fake Palestine

Six months ago UNESCO canceled an exhibition about the Jewish
peoples connection to the Land of Israel, following the
Arab pressure. A revised exhibition was opened last
Wednesday at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. Most strikingly, the
word Israel has been deleted from the exhibitions
title and replaced by Holy Land. An exhibit that
was initially called The 3,500 year relationship of the
Jewish People to the Land of Israel is now entitled The
3,500 year relationship of the Jewish People with the Holy Land.
(They also removed panels about the expulsion of Jews from Arab
countries after Israels founding.)

Islamic Barbarism - Wife Electrocuted for Having a Girl -
A Turkish man is charged with electrocuting his wife as punishment
for giving birth to a girl. The case was the latest example of
what rights activists say is a failure by EU hopeful Turkey to
protect women from domestic violence. Men killed 214 women and
10 children in Turkey last year. (Genetically men are respectable
for a childs gender. Why didnt he kill himself?)

Israeli Farmers to Give Fields a Rest

Following Rosh Hashanah in September - the beginning of the
Jewish New Year - the agricultural Sabbath year, shemittah, begins.
Rooted in Gods command given to Moses at Sinai, agricultural
fields, vineyards and orchards are to be worked and harvested
for six years, but in the seventh year they are to be allowed
to rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may
eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat.

Israels 'Friendly' Neighbors

Terror groups have managed to replenish their supply of missiles,
a year and a half after Israel delivered a crushing blow to Hamas
in Operation Pillar of Defense, said Itai Brun, director of research
in the IDF Intelligence branch. There were hundreds of long-range
missiles in Gaza - and that between Hezbollah, Hamas, and the
other Gaza terror groups, now there are 170,000 missiles aimed
at Israel.

Hamas is Planning the Next Confrontation - Defense Minister
Moshe Yaalon warned that despite the reconciliation agreement
it reached with the Fatah movement, Hamas is preparing for its
next confrontation with Israel.  make no mistake:
Hamas is preparing itself for a confrontation with Israel, training
forces and storing missiles and rockets. It already has thousands
of missiles and rockets pointed towards Israel.

Playing for Time was Always the Intention of Iran - Iran's
talks with six major powers on curbing its nuclear program in
exchange for an end to Western sanctions could be extended for
six months if no deal is reached by a July 20 deadline agreed
by all parties, a senior Iranian official said. (At the same
time, unwillingness to stop nuclear program of Iran was always
the intention of the Western powers.)

Abbas will do Nothing About Rocket Attacks - The US State
Department condemned the rocket fire from Gaza, but also said
that Palestinian Authority (PA) head Mahmoud Abbas cannot do
much to stop the attacks, despite having signed a unity pact
with Hamas. Abbas condemned the rocket fire from
Gaza, but not because of the threat to human or Israeli lives.
Rather, he said, such attacks are a threat to the Hamas-Fatah
unity pact and Palestinian Arab security. (It is amazing how
the US administration is eager to justify actions and inaction
of the terror-infested PA and its hate and aggression against
Jewish state!)

Assad and Iran are Good Guys Now - Assad offers
to help Iraq rid itself of al-Qaeda group which took over Mosul,
saying 'Damascus ready to cooperate with Iraq to face terrorism,
our common enemy'. (After dismal failure of the bogus West-lead
War on Terror, a new player emerged, who actually
can do the job!) Iranian military forces are fighting ISIS in
Iraq. Al Qods Brigades chief Gen. Qassem Soleimani arrived in
Baghdad ahead of the Iranian troops now fighting in Iraq.

Abbas Tricking the Americans as Arafat Did! - by Ari Yashar
- A former Hamas government spokesman revealed on Sunday that
Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has said in
private meetings he is lying in public statements to "trick
the Americans." Continued: http://www.shamrak.com/

-----

HAMAS WARNS ISRAELIS TO LEAVE OR DIE

By Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik Thursday, May
8, 2014 Hamas warns Israelis to leave or die, in latest Hamas
video taunting Israelis and Jews. Animated video sung to tune
of Israel's national anthem promises Israelis will be expelled
to Germany and Russia http://palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=157&doc_id=11411

Hamas' military wing, the Izz A-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, has
produced a Hebrew language video mocking Israelis, sung to the
tune of Israel's national anthem "Hatikva" ("The
Hope"). It was posted on its website and on Hamas' TV's
YouTube channel, to coincide with Israel's 66th Independence
Day earlier this week. The animated video named "The End
of Hope" shows Hamas soldiers conquering Israel and expelling
Jews to Germany and Russia.

Palestinian Media Watch has documented Hamas' use of videos
addressing Israelis, at times in Hebrew, as a propaganda tool.
More examples are included at the end of this report.

This latest propaganda video asserts that "the Zionists'
army is made of wax and "is melting." A child is seen
throwing a stone that causes Israel's Parliament Knesset to crumble.
The song promises that all Jews will be forced to leave Israel
while "the fool who insists [on remaining] - his fate is
sealed - [he'll end up] under the ground," sung to pictures
of Israeli Minister of Tourism Rehavam Ze'evi who was murdered
by PFLP terrorists in 2001, and Israel's current Defense Minister
Moshe Ayalon with a target around his face. Israelis are then
forced by Hamas soldiers to board ships to their "country
of origin," as signs point to "deportation to Russia"
and "deportation to Germany," while in the background
are the bodies of Israeli soldiers. The video ends with Jews
fleeing the Western Wall and Hamas soldiers standing victorious
over the Dome of the Rock Mosque, which is flying Palestinian
flags. The song announces that Jerusalem's name will be the Arabic
"Beit Al-Maqdis" and not "Jerusalem." The
final picture shows a burning Israeli flag with words "Israel
will surely disappear."

A few weeks ago, Hamas produced a video showing Israeli soldiers
being killed by a sniper, while text warned: "You will end
up in Hell" and "Our harvest is your heads." Click
to view http://palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=474&doc_id=11285

In 2009, during the time Hamas held Israeli soldier Gilad
Shalit hostage (2006-2011), the terror organization produced
a video promising more kidnappings - "You [Israelis] will
all be 'Gilads,' we'll capture you." Click to view http://palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=663&fld_id=663&doc_id=1141

-----

US COULD DESTROY IRAN'S NUCCLEAR PROGRAM IN 'FRACTION OF
ONE NIGHT'

[Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas), May 5, 2014] - Friday, May 9, 2014 -
Former PM says America "is perceived to have been weakened"
over the last several years, but could still destroy Iran's nuclear
arsenal in operation he said would be easier than planned campaign
against Syrian chemical weapons.

By MICHAEL WILNER The Jerusalem Post 05/08/2014 22:13 WASHINGTON
 An American military attack against Irans nuclear
facilities would take a fraction of one night to
complete should US President Barack Obama choose to order one,
former prime minister Ehud Barak said in Washington on Thursday.

Speaking to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy,
Barak said such an attack would be easier for the United States
than last years planned campaign against Syrian President
Bashar Assads chemical weapons infrastructure.

Its a simpler operation to get rid of the [Iranian]
arsenal, Barak said.

Nevertheless, he issued a harsh condemnation of the White
House, charging that Obama had changed the goal posts on what
he would find acceptable from Tehran.

The American administration changed its objective from
no nuclear military Iran to no nuclear military Iran during the
term of this administration, Barak said, adding that the
US is perceived to have been weakened over the last
several years. Barak endorsed negotiations between Iran and the
international community in Vienna, while expressing skepticism
that Iran had a genuine interest in a good deal. Iran benefits,
he said, from a continuation of a halfstep deal, as was achieved
in Geneva over the fall.

Barak was speaking in conversation with Dennis Ross, a former
diplomat under the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations who
is now with the Washington Institute. In the wide-ranging discussion,
Barak said that international crisis management had become a
gestalt, where everything depends on everything else.

Conflict with China over the Senkaku Islands complicates
participation on Iran, he said. When the attention is drawn
to Donetsk [in Ukraine], he added, there is no room
for real cooperation on Syria. He conceded the difficulty
facing the US on Syria, while commenting that Assad had saved
himself by using chemical weapons on his own people. He
was referring to the deal Assad made to rid himself of his chemical
arsenal in exchange for effective immunity from US attack. http://www.jpost.com/Iranian-Threat/News/Barak-US-could-destroy-Irans-nuclear-program-

in-fraction-of-one-night-351740

-----

VACCINE FOR BOTH MERS AND SARS

May 11, 2014 SOURCE: Saudi Gazette 11 May 14:Experimental
vaccine developed for coronavirus [MERS] SUBJECT: Vaccine
for coronaviruses SARS and MERS - WASHINGTON  Maryland
University and Gaithersburg biotech Novavax announced that an
experimental vaccine for combating coronavirus has succeeded
in stopping infection in laboratory studies. It is based on a
platform for a vaccine candidate that is said to protect against
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS; both MERS and SARS
are coronaviruses. Youre blocking the attachment
of the antibody to the human cell, said Dr. Gregory Glenn,
the senior vice president of research and development at Novavax.
When you have an immune response to the virus, the virus
is destroyed.

The companys work on MERS was published in the most
recent issue of the journal Vaccine. http://www.imra.org.il/

-----

HIZBULLAH OPPOSES MARONITE PATRIARCH JERUSALEM VISIT

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said Thursday al-Rahi
was not part of the official delegation heading to the Holy Land
and was going on his own initiative.

Naharnet (Lebanon) 11 May 14:Hizbullah Delegation
to visit Bikirki to Dissuade al-Rahi from Jerusalem visit,
by Naharnet Newsdesk: A delegation from Hizbullah is expected
to visit Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Tuesday[13 May]
on the occasion of Liberation Day and a time of heated debates
over his visit to Jerusalem, reported the Kuwaiti daily al-Anba
on Sunday [11 May].

The daily said that the delegation will indirectly attempt
to persuade the patriarch against making the trip or thank him
for canceling it should he do so before Tuesday[13 May].

Liberation Day, marking the end of Israeli occupation of
southern Lebanon, falls on May 25.

President Michel Suleiman had recently informed al-Rahi that
it was preferable for him not to visit the Holy Land later this
month over controversy over the planned trip.

The president also expressed readiness to provide political
cover to any stance made by the Maronite patriarchate to go back
on the decision to go ahead with the visit. Al-Rahi had however
reportedly defended his decision to accompany Pope Francis to
Jerusalem and hinted that he would not change his mind, saying
that as Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, it is
his duty to welcome the Pope in any country in the region.

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said Thursday al-Rahi
was not part of the official delegation heading to the Holy Land
and was going on his own initiative. Al-Rahi would be the first
patriarch to travel to Israel since the Jewish state was created
in 1948. http://www.imra.org.il/

TUNISIA MINISTERS ESCAPE CENSURE OVER ISRAELI TOURISTS' VISIT

Jordan Times 11 May 14: Agence France Presse; an
annual pilgrimage that draws Jews from around the world to Tunisias
ancient Ghriba synagogue  Censure motions against
two Tunisian ministers accused of promoting normalisation
with Israel were withdrawn late Friday, just before deputies
in the Islamist-dominated parliament were to vote on them. The
motions were filed last month against Tourism Minister Amel Karboul
and Deputy Interior Minister for Security Ridha Sfar, with documents
purporting to show that the latter gave written authorisation
for Israeli tourists to enter Tunisia earlier this year. Karboul
was also accused of receiving an Israeli delegation. It is an
open secret that Israelis have been visiting Tunisia for years
on the quiet. And the parliamentary debate came just a week ahead
of an annual pilgrimage that draws Jews from around the world
to Tunisias ancient Ghriba synagogue.

A vote had been expected in the evening but the two
motions of censure have been withdrawn, assembly president
Mustapha Ben Jaafar announced to the assembled deputies.

It was not our intention to attack the ministers. We
wished to say that the normalisation of ties with Israel is a
red line, explained centrist deputy Iyed Dahmani, an avid
supporter of the motions just hours earlier.

Leftist deputy Faycel Jadlaoui said the decision not to vote
on the motions was due to the responses of the two ministers
and the fact that half of the 80 signatories to the motion had
withdrawn their support. However, the news came as a surprise
to some deputies in the chamber and led to heated exchanges.

We do not deal with Israel Karboul denied receiving
an Israeli delegation. She also defended her comments supporting
the entry of tourists regardless of nationality, to boost a key
sector of the Tunisian economy that was battered by the turbulence
that followed the 2011 revolution. [...]

The debate came just weeks after Israeli tourists aboard
an American cruise ship were denied entry.

In response, Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line announced
its ships would not return to Tunisia in a potentially severe
blow to a struggling economy three years after the ouster of
autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

And earlier last week, Holland America Line announced that
it was cancelling a port call by one of its ships on Saturday
due to ongoing issues regarding the requirements of visitor
visas for some of our guests.

While expressing disappointment that the itinerary had to
be adjusted, the company said we continue to work with
local Tunisian authorities and expect that future planned calls
will operate as scheduled.

Like most other countries in the Arab world, the North African
nation does not recognise Israel, primarily out of solidarity
with Palestinian demands for a state of their own. [...]

But Tunisia is one of the Arab worlds most liberal
countries, and still has a small Jewish population of about 1,500.

More than half are on the southern resort island of Djerba,
where the Ghriba synagogue, the focus of the three-day pilgrimage
that begins next Friday[16 May], is located. http://www.imra.org.il/

-----

RON BEN -YISHAI: THE FOOT IN THE MOUTH OF AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE

Sunday, May 11, 2014 - Newsweek's articles only point out
hypocracy and ignorance in a US intelligence community that harbors
a vindictive attitude towards Israel. Ron Ben-Yishai - Ynet Published:
05.11.14, 00:42 / Israel Opinion ??

The second Newsweek article on Israel's alleged spying efforts
in the US, titled "Israels Aggressive Spying in the
US Mostly Hushed Up", embarrasses its author and sources
almost more than the original piece published last Tuesday.

It serves as additional proof to what anyone who has ever
worked in Washington DC and with the White House knows 
American analysis of events pertaining to foreigners is at times
distorted or even downright mistaken.

US security and intelligence officials have a tendency to
judge the actions of others as if they were undertaken by the
Americans, resulting in the pot calling the kettle black.

The US intelligence community, which eavesdrops on every
corner of the known world, attributes the same to us at times,
especially when it serves US interests. The best example of this
is actually the incident regarding Israel's alleged attempt to
place a spy in Al Gore's hotel room, the incident which opens
Jeff Stien's second Newsweek's article.

The article cites a Secret Service man who reportedly secured
the then-vice-president's hotel room in Jerusalem, probably,
the Kind David Hotel, and made sure the room was free of wire
taps.

As is protocol in such cases, and this is well known to Israel's
security and intelligence officials, one Secret Service man remains
in the hotel room to make sure it remains 'clean' and no would
be assassins attempt to enter while the room is vacant.

According to the Newsweek report, the bodyguard was alone
in the room when he suddenly heard a noise from the air-condition
vent and saw its cover being removed from within the vent. Someone
was allegedly attempting to enter the room through the now open
duct.

The Secret Service agent then coughed to alert the intruder
of his presence and the "Israeli spy" whom he reportedly
caught red-handed, did an about-face and returned up the vent
to whence he came. That is the article's proof of Israel's "aggressive"
spy tactics. Anyone in the loop knows that if Israeli intelligence
services wanted to spy against Al Gore, it could have done so
in numerous ways, especially while in Israel where they enjoy
a home field advantage.

In this case, sadly and embarrassingly for Newsweek, it is
probably no other than a hotel maintenance worker taking care
of the AC system. It was probably nothing but a routine examination,
one conducted in anticipation of the State visit of such a senior
ranking figure. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4518128,00.html

-----

EU COUNCIL: MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS ALLOWS GAZA ROCKETS
TO REMAIN IN PLACE

Further to our telephone conversation: Paragraph 5. of the
Main results of the Council 12 May 2014 Middle East peace process
reads: "Such a government should uphold the principle of
non-violence, and remain committed to achieving a two-state solution
and to a negotiated peaceful settlement of the Israeli Palestinian
conflict accepting previous agreements and obligations, including
Israels legitimate right to exist. The EU's engagement
with a new Palestinian government will be based on its adherence
to these policies and commitments. Reconciliation on these terms
is an important element for the unity of a future Palestinian
state and for reaching a two state solution and a lasting peace.
The EU welcomes the prospect of genuine democratic elections
for all Palestinians."

Question: The Palestinians committed under the terms of the
Interim Agreement with Israel to restrictions on weapons in the
Gaza Strip. The rockets now in the Gaza Strip are in violation
of this commitment. Since "The EU's engagement with a new
Palestinian government will be based on its adherence to these
policies and commitments" does this mean that the EU's engagement
will be based on the removal of the illegal rockets from the
Gaza Strip in fulfillment of the Palestinian commitments? Thanks.
Best regards, Dr. Aaron Lerner - www.imra.org.il

-----

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION PRESS RELEASE 33

12th Council meeting Foreign Affairs Brussels, 12 May 2014
9542/14 President Catherine Ashton High Representative of the
Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy PROVISIONAL VERSION
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/142563.pdf

Main results of the Council 12 May 2014 Middle East peace
process

The Council discussed the state of play in the Middle East
peace process and adopted the following conclusions:

"1. The EU is extremely concerned at recent developments
related to the peace process. The EU has fully supported and
praises US peace efforts deployed by Secretary of State Kerry
and his team. The extensive efforts deployed in recent months
must not go to waste.

2. A negotiated two-state solution remains the best way to
resolve the conflict once and for all. The EU regrets that despite
US efforts, greater progress has not been made by the parties
to date in the talks. The EU urges the parties to use the coming
weeks to find the common ground and political strength needed
to resume this process and to make the necessary bold decisions.
The EU remains determined to do all it can to support that goal,
including through the offer of a Special Privileged Partnership,
which will ensure unprecedented economic, political and security
support for both parties in the event of a final status agreement.

3. The European Union recalls previous Council conclusions
which have laid down its vision for a two-state solution resulting
in an agreement on all final status issues, ending all claims,
and fulfilling the legitimate aspirations of both parties. A
one state reality would not be compatible with such aspirations.

4. The EU calls on all sides to exercise maximum restraint
and to avoid any unilateral action which may further undermine
peace efforts and the viability of a two-state-solution, such
as continued settlement expansion. The European Union will continue
to closely monitor the situation and its broader implications,
and will act accordingly.

5. The EU has consistently supported intra-Palestinian reconciliation
on clear and certain terms. The EU looks forward to continuing
its support, including through direct financial assistance, for
a possible new Palestinian government composed of independent
figures that commits to the principles set out in President Abbas'
speech in Cairo on 4 May 2011. Such a government should uphold
the principle of non-violence, and remain committed to achieving
a two-state solution and to a negotiated peaceful settlement
of the Israeli Palestinian conflict accepting previous agreements
and obligations, including Israels legitimate right to
exist. The EU's engagement with a new Palestinian government
will be based on its adherence to these policies and commitments.
Reconciliation on these terms is an important element for the
unity of a future Palestinian state and for reaching a two state
solution and a lasting peace. The EU welcomes the prospect of
genuine democratic elections for all Palestinians.

6. The EU underlines that Mahmoud Abbas, as President of
the PLO, remains fully in charge of the negotiation process and
is mandated to negotiate in the name of all Palestinians and
that the peace negotiations can and must be resumed." http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/142563.pdf

A meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and
US Secretary of State John Kerry planned for Thursday in London
does not mean US-led peace talks between Israel and
Palestine will resume, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organizations
Executive Committee told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Rather, Thursdays meeting came at the request
of the Americans to discuss a number of important issues,
said the Executive Committee member, Wasel Abu Youssef. He said
the talks would also cover the HamasFatah reconciliation
agreement and the formation of a technocratic unity government
to oversee the West Bank and Gaza, and AmericanPalestinian
relations.

Kerry will be in London to take part in the Friends of Syria
conference. His meeting with Abbas will be the first since Israel
announced the suspension of negotiations in response the accord
signed by Fatah and Hamas on April 23, in which both sides agreed
to form a Palestinian national unity government headed by Abbas.

The deadline in the latest round of peace talks expired on
April 29, and in the intervening weeks American officials have
expressed a desire to rethink their involvement in the longstanding
conflict. Speaking about the purpose of Thursdays meeting,
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement on
Monday: While the door remains open to a peace process,
the purpose of the meeting is to discuss our ongoing relationship
with the Palestinians.

Abu Youssef said: There is no change at all in the
Palestinian position regarding the return to negotiations, and
the president will inform Kerry of the conditions to restart
them, which are the release of the fourth batch of prisoners
held since before the Oslo Accord, an immediate and complete
end to settlement activity, and the recognition by Israel of
the 1967 borders as borders of the Palestinian state and a reference
[point] for the negotiations.

Abu Youssef added that this was the also position announced
by the PLOs Central Committee, and downplayed chances of
a breakthrough in London, saying it was an evaluation and
consultation meeting.

He also played down fears that the US would cut its funding
of the Palestinian Authoritytypically worth around 400
million US dollars a yearif Fatah forms a national unity
government with Hamas, which the US considers a terrorist organization.
Continued: http://www.imra.org.il/

-----

WE WANT DEMOCRACY - LIKE ISRAEL

Friday, May 16, 2014 Arabs: (reaction to sentencing of PM
Olmert)

Arabs by Khaled Abu Toameh May 16, 2014 at 5:00 am "How
many Arab leaders would be left if they went on trial of similar
cases of bribery and corruption?"  Zuhear al-Karim,
Arabic CNN. "If Olmert were in Kuwait, his case would have
been shelved and he would have received a senior position in
government."  Yasalam, Al-Aan.

"Law is above all and this is real democracy. Israel
is the only real democracy in the Middle East."  Saad
Sayad, Arabic CNN.

The Tel Aviv District Court's decision to send former Israeli
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to six years in prison for corruption
has prompted calls in the Arab world for endorsing Israel's standards
of accountability, transparency and justice. Reacting to the
sentencing of Olmert, many Arabs expressed hope that the day
would come when their countries would learn from Israel that
no one is above the law, even if he or she is a president or
prime minister.

Sufian Abu Zayda, a leading Fatah official and former Palestinian
Authority minister, praised the court verdict; he said it shows
that in Israel, no one is above the law.

"This verdict provides further evidence that the judicial
system in Israel is fully independent in the wake of the separation
between the legislative, executive and judicial authorities,
as well as total freedom of the media," said Abu Zayda,
who is considered an expert on Israeli affairs. The praise for
Israel's democratic system does not mean that Abu Zayda and other
Arabs have become pro-Israel and are willing to recognize Israel's
right to exist.

But while they continue to hate Israel and seek its destruction,
many Arabs do not hesitate to express their admiration for the
independence of Israel's judicial system. [...] Comments: Libya:
"We Muslims are in great need of a decent judicial system
to punish our thieves and corrupt leaders. May God help us."
[Al-Quds Al-Arabi][5] Hassan Jamal: "I wish Arab countries
do the same for their corrupt leaders. I wish the Arab people
will do the same for their countries and get rid of corrupt officials,
including presidents and kings." [Al-Quds][6] Mohammed:
"Of course Islam is the best religion. But the regimes that
claim to endorse Islam are practicing repression and corruption.
Meanwhile, Israel is among the democratic countries and is better
than all the Arab and Islamic countries when it comes to respecting
its people and combating theft of resources." [Al-Wasat
News][7] Whole article:

http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/4317/arabs-want-democracy-israel

-----

HAMAS: UNITY GOVT TO BE UNVEILED IN DAYS

Published 18/05/2014 GAZA CITY (AFP) -- A new Palestinian
"consensus government" to be named by the PLO and Hamas
is to be finalized within days, a senior official in the Islamist
movement said Sunday. Bassem Naim, an adviser to Hamas' premier
for the Gaza Strip, Ismail Haniyeh, said a senior member of President
Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement, which dominates the PLO, would
meet with Hamas officials in Gaza this week to conclude negotiations.
Azzam al-Ahmad is "arriving in Gaza on Wednesday and Thursday
to meet with the Hamas reconciliation delegation to hold consultations,"
Naim told AFP.

"We expect the government to be announced by (Abbas)
early the following week," he said, and will then be presented
to the Palestinian parliament for a vote of confidence. Hamas
signed a reconciliation deal last month with the PLO in a surprise
move which aims to overcome a years-long intra-Palestinian split.
Hamas has dominated the Palestinian parliament since winning
a landslide victory in the last parliamentary election, held
in 2006.

But the US and Europe have since backed the West Bank-based
Palestinian Authority under Abbas and boycotted the Islamist
movement, which advocates armed conflict with Israel.

Under their April 23 reconciliation deal, the two sides are
to form an "independent government" of technocrats,
headed by Abbas, paving the way for long-delayed elections. Representatives
from the rival factions have held several rounds of talks to
heal the bad blood since Hamas expelled Fatah from Gaza in a
week of deadly clashes in 2007.

The reconciliation deal has incensed Israel, putting the
final nail in the coffin of faltering US-led peace talks between
Israel and Abbas' administration. http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=698343

-----

OFFICIAL: PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS CROSSED THE RUBICON ON POLLARD

Peres to Be Asked to Secure Pollards Release

Hamodia Staff - Hamodia [NY] - May 19 2014 - Jonathan Pollards wife Esther is expected to
meet with Israeli President Shimon Peres before he leaves for
Washington to urge him to make another direct appeal to President
Barack Obama for her husbands release from prison on humanitarian
grounds, The Jerusalem Post reported on Sunday. Peres is seen
as the only Israeli official close enough to Obama to persuade
him to use his power as president to authorize Pollards
release. The news comes after the prospect of Pollards
release as a gesture to Israel to facilitate a deal with the
Palestinians faded along with the peace talks.

Peres is scheduled to meet with Obama on June 25 in the White
House, officials said Sunday. Pollards health has been
reported as extremely precarious, and that if not freed from
prison soon he may never leave it alive. An Israeli official
working for the release of Pollard noted that when he was prime
minister, Peres took a historically unprecedented step of incriminating
his own agent by returning documents with Pollards fingerprints
to the U.S. The documents were considered to be the only hard
evidence that the U.S. had against Pollard.

This is a golden opportunity for Peres, not only to
save Pollard but to repair his tarnished legacy, the official
said. If Peres were to bring Pollard home with him now,
his legacy would be assured.

Last December, Peres publicly announced that he would devote
the rest of his time in office to securing Pollards release.
But the last time he went to Washington in June 2012, Peres returned
home with the presidential medal of freedom from Obama but not
Pollard. Success for Peres in this matter would demonstrate
that Obamas esteem for the Israeli president is not just
empty rhetoric and gold-plated medals, the Israeli official
said. An American source close to the negotiations for Pollards
release said that now that there is no diplomatic process with
the Palestinians, there was no reason why Pollard could not be
released as a gesture to Peres.

President Obama has crossed the Rubicon on Pollard,
the American source said. He did so when he demonstrated
that it is now possible to free Jonathan Pollard as part of a
diplomatic process. In an interview with Haaretz,
diplomatic correspondent Barak Ravid, a White House official,
said Pollards release had been indefinitely taken off the
table. Pollards release is something that was discussed
in a certain context and this context is over, the White
House official said.

Nevertheless, Labor MK Nachman Shai, who heads the Knessets
pro-Pollard caucus, expressed confidence that Pollard is off
the table diplomatically only so long as the diplomatic process
is suspended, and that Pollard will be back on the table as soon
as talks restart.